Billy Burns

Get to know Ulster’s new Ireland- qualified fly- half

“My two best holidays were Sydney three years ago with a couple of lads, and Dubai with my girlfriend lastsummer.”“I’m a bit of an old man! I like to go out with the boys and for dog walks – we have a King Charles Cavalier called Ozzy. I play computer games like FIFA, but not often. That’s about it. I probablysound boring!”“I don’t cook at all. My girlfriend,Jade, does all the cooking and before she moved over I’d be going round the boys’ houses or eating at the Italian down the road from my place. I was there so much they gave mea discount!”“My mum and dad have been the biggest influences on my career. My dad still plays. The amount of effort they put in for us – I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now withoutthem.”“First and foremost, I’m here to play for Ulster. It’s a great club with a great history. But I do have international ambitions – as I’m sure every player does – and I qualify for Ireland through my grandad. At the moment, I’ve got to focus on performingin a different system to what I’m used to.”“Coming to Belfast, one of my hobbies has to be golf as there are so many great courses here. I play off a handicap of about ten and have played with theboys here.” “A lot of people talk about getting away from rugby in their spare time, but doing a bit of coaching is my release. I coached Cheltenham Saracens for three years and had to leave fairly abruptly, but I loved it and keep in contact with the boys.”“My brotherFreddie moved from Gloucester to Leicester and Leicester to Bath, so he’s beenthrough that transition to a new club. It’s great to have someone who’s been through it to talk to and as he’s my brother he gives theharsh truth of it!”“My childhood hero was Steve McQueen.I loved The Great Escape and when he tries jumping a fence on his motorbike. He was very cool and I had a couple of pictures of him around the house. What I liked about him was he lived on the edge alittle bit.”“I do like an adrenaline rush and used to have a scrambler motorbike.Waterparks are my favourite place – but I don’t liketheme parks.” “I’ve got my Level 3 for coaching and I think I’ll look for another club to coach over here. It’s definitely something I’m looking to do at the end of rugby. For now, I need to focus on Ulster and settling in. This was a good time to make a change and challenge myself.”